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Sports Physicals

A sports physical (also known as a pre-participation physical examination) is a check-up to assess a child's health and fitness as it relates to a sport. It is not intended to replace a regular physical.

How it is done:

During the sports physical, the health care provider looks for any diseases or injuries that could make it unsafe to participate in sports and reviews the family's medical history to ensure additional tests are performed if necessary.

Your child's sports physical should start with a thorough medical history. The health care provider will ask about any history of illness, hospitalizations, or injuries that might prevent them from playing, or that might limit the type or amount of activity the athlete can handle. He or she will be asked to fill out a health history form as well as a questionnaire that investigates daily habits and lifestyle choices (it asks about drug and alcohol use, among other topics).

Use of certain medications including prescription, over-the-counter, illicit, and herbal medicines

A family history of heart problems or sudden death before age 50

The medical history will be followed by a physical exam, in which the health care provider will:

Measure height and weight

Take pulse rate and blood pressure

Check the heart and lungs

Check neurological function such as reflexes, coordination, and general strength

Test your child’s vision and hearing

Check the ears, nose, and throat

Look at joint flexibility, mobility, spinal alignment, and posture to evaluate for scoliosis

Hernia exam (in males) if warranted

Reviews immunizations

Girls may also be asked about their period, and whether it's regular. Additional testing such as blood tests, X-rays, an electrocardiogram or a cardiac echo may be ordered due to findings of the sports physical.